Home / Fishing Trips / Silver Salmon
Peak season: mid-August through September
Kenai River
Silver Salmon
Fishing
Private trips from
$800
a boat
Mid-Aug to Sept
peak silver season on the Kenai
Strike hard
acrobatic leaps, fierce fights
Fewer crowds
in September
All skill levels
first-timers welcome
Kenai River coho
The Fall
Silver Run
Silver salmon, or coho, are the Kenai’s late-summer and fall run, and some of the best silver salmon fishing in Alaska. They jump, run hard and hit aggressively, which makes them a favorite with anglers who want steady action.
Silvers strike hard and fight all the way to the net. Cooler days, fall colors and fewer boats make it a good late-season trip for every skill level, whether you are after the sport or looking to fill your freezer.
When to come
Best Time to Fish
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Peak: mid-August through September
August brings warm days and steady action. In September the fall colors come in, the boats thin out and the silvers fight hard in the cooler water. Kenai River trips run until September 20.
Techniques that work
How We Fish Silvers
Casting spinners
A go-to for aggressive, hard-striking silvers. Your guide knows the river’s top spots for each stage of the run.
Drifting bait
The other proven method for Kenai silvers, with all bait and tackle supplied with your gear.
Hands-on coaching
First-timers welcome. Guides teach you the technique, then put you where the fish are moving.
License
Anglers 16 and older need an Alaska fishing license. No king stamp is needed if you are only fishing silvers.
Private boat or shared seat
Choose Your Trip
Short on time?
Half Day
4 hours · Kenai or Kasilof · all gear
From $800
per boat
Most time on the water
Full Day
7 hours · Kenai or Kasilof · all gear
$1,400
per boat
Trip Availability
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Secure Checkout through Stripe
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Private and Shared Charters
Gift certificates
Any trip, any amount
Fishing with Kenai Cowboys
What’s Included
Boat, guide and gear for silvers, and your catch filleted at the end of the day.
1
All gear included
Rods, reels, tackle and bait set up for silvers.
2
Professional fish cleaning
After your trip we clean, fillet and prepare your fish for transport, ready to take home or cook up fresh.
3
Local guides
Your guide reads the run and moves the boat to where silvers are holding.
Tripadvisor & Google reviews
What Anglers Say
★★★★★
We’ve chartered trips all over the world. No captain has worked harder to put us on the fish. We all caught our limit thanks to his awesome teaching abilities, limitless patience, and immense dedication to his craft!
Lindsey Powers
Trip with Captain Dusty
★★★★★
Been fishing in Alaska for over 30 years. One of the best days river fishing was with this outfitter. We hired two boats for our private party. Nick and Mark were excellent guides.
Doreen Toller
Private party, two boats
★★★★★
We went with Mark at Kenai River Cowboys and we’re not disappointed. This guy knows his fish, and knows how to teach everyone the right method (“Rod down towards the water!”). Go with the “Gold” standard.
James Bailey
Trip with Captain Mark
Silver Salmon FAQ
Before You Book
Answers to the most common questions about fishing silvers on the Kenai.
When is the best time to fish for silvers on the Kenai?
Mid-August through September. August brings warm days and steady action; September brings fall colors and fewer boats. Kenai River trips run until September 20.
How do you fish for silvers?
Casting spinners and drifting bait. Your guide picks the method and the water for each stage of the run.
Can I keep the silvers I catch?
Yes, within Alaska Fish and Game limits for the season. Your guide gives you the current limit and fillets your catch at the end of the day.
Do I need a king stamp for silvers?
No. Anglers 16 and older need an Alaska fishing license; the king salmon stamp is only for kings.
Which river do you fish for silvers?
Silvers run in both. Kenai trips leave from Sterling and run until September 20; Kasilof trips run until September 1. Your guide picks the river that is fishing best.
Is silver fishing good for beginners?
Yes. The silver run suits every skill level, and your guide teaches the technique that works for the day.
What should I wear in August and September?
Warm layers, a rain jacket, waterproof boots and a hat. It is colder on the water than in town, especially in September.
How long are the trips?
Kenai River trips run 4 hours (half day) or 7 hours (full day). Kasilof River trips run 6 hours.
Peak: mid-August through September
Book Your
Silver Trip
Half Day
4 hours · private boat, up to 4
From $800
per boat
Full Day
7 hours · private boat, up to 4
$1,400
per boat
Shared Seat
4 or 7 hours · join a shared boat
From $275
per person
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All gear included
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Fish cleaned & filleted
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Kenai or Kasilof
Other species, same trips
